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congressional Republicans are panning President Biden's proposed U.S. Supreme Court reforms. NPR's Giles Snyder has more on the opposition to the changes that Biden hopes to make. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is pushing back against the president's proposal, saying Biden wants to take a torch to what he called the crown jewel of our system of government. President Biden and his leftist allies don't like the current composition of the court.
So they want to shred the Constitution to change it. McConnell was the majority leader during the Trump administration when the Senate confirmed three conservative justices, leading to today's six to three conservative majority. House Speaker Mike Johnson says Biden's proposals would be dead on arrival in the House. And while they don't seem likely to get anywhere before the November election, Democrats are seeking to make the court an issue.
Giles Snyder, NPR News. Vice President Kamala Harris is leaning into her record as a prosecutor as she campaigns for the Democratic Party's nomination for president.
As NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports, it is not the first time that Harris has used that strategy. In several events since Kamala Harris became the likely Democratic nominee, she's been drawing the contrast between her and former President Trump, noting that she, as a prosecutor, took on criminals. And Trump himself has been convicted. So hear me when I say...
I know Donald Trump's tight. That was Harris in Milwaukee last week. Five years ago, when she ran for president, Harris made a similar pitch to voters, that she would prosecute the case against Trump. But her record on criminal justice reform drew criticism from within her own party. This time around, though, experts say voters have different perceptions of crime and public safety. And with Trump's criminal record, the prosecutor argument might work in Harris's favor. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.
The FBI says former President Trump has agreed to be questioned about the attempt on his life. A bullet or shrapnel grazed Trump's ear during a July 13th rally in Butner, Pennsylvania. Investigators say the gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, had researched mass shootings and attempted assassinations. Crooks was killed at the scene by the Secret Service. His motive remains unclear.
More than 5,300 crew members are battling the massive park fire that's raging north of Chico, California.
The blaze has consumed more than 373,000 acres in four counties and is just 14 percent contained. From member station KQED to Dana Cronin reports that the blaze is the largest burning in California. This is officially the sixth largest fire in California state history. Thousands of people are evacuated, many who were living in pretty remote areas. The number of structures damaged by the fire last time I checked is officially just over 100 blazes.
but officials say that will likely go up. Dana Cronin in San Francisco. This is NPR News. At least two people have died and 11 others are injured following a stabbing spree in northwest England. Monday's attack occurred at a community center that was hosting a dance and yoga class for children. Police say a 17-year-old suspect is in custody. No word on a possible motive for the attacks.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the African National Congress Party. Zuma has formed a new political party that's challenged the country's most recent elections. His MK party received nearly 15% of the national vote to become the third largest in South Africa.
Actor, comedian, and singer Erica Ashe has died of cancer at the age of 46. Ashe was best known for her role in the Starz sitcom Survivor's Remorse. NPR's Elizabeth Blair has this appreciation. In a sketch for the comedy show MADtv, Erica Ashe played a kind of ditzy daughter of a famous civil rights leader. She's interviewed by an academic, played by Keegan-Michael Key.
father built a preparatory school for the children in the community. No, he didn't actually build it. I think the construction people did, but his name is on the front. Erica Ashe's theater credits included the musical Baby, It's You on Broadway and a touring production of The Lion King.
Growing up as a military brat, she moved around a lot. She graduated with a pre-med degree from Emory University and then moved to Japan to pursue acting. Among the tributes, Christopher Landon, who directed her in the movie We Have a Ghost, writes, Erica Ashe was a light, beautiful, funny, beyond talented. Elizabeth Blair reporting.
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